CYF calls go unanswered

National’s Associate Welfare (CYF) spokeswoman, Anne Tolley,

Answers to parliamentary written questions reveal that between January and October 2005, a total of 40,515 calls to the call centre were abandoned.

“Despite the millions spent by CYF on restructuring, recruitment and retraining of staff, this call centre is still not performing adequately for the safety of our children,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It is simply unacceptable to have 3,000 - 4,000 calls abandoned every month, as these figures clearly show. The lives of young children may be at stake on the end of the telephone.

“All calls must be answered. When family members and other members of the public are asked to report abuse, there must be an adequate system in place to take the calls,” says Mrs Tolley.

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